Application member for applying cosmetic product by stamping on the skin

ABSTRACT

An application member for applying cosmetic product by stamping on the skin, defining a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and an antero-posterior axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the transverse axis. A front application surface is loaded with cosmetic product by placing the front application surface in contact with the cosmetic product and at least partially placed in contact with the skin to deposit by stamping thereon a line of cosmetic product whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the part of the front application surface placed in contact with the skin. The front application surface is outwardly convex when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis.

The present invention relates to the field of applicators for applying cosmetic product to the skin, especially applicators for applying makeup product to the eyes and in particular applicators for applying eyeliner to the eyelids.

In this field, it is known practice to make the applicator in the form of a pencil whose lead forms an application member allowing a line of eyeliner to be drawn on the eyelids, at the base of the eyelashes, and/or allowing a flick to be drawn on the outer corner of the eye.

Applicators in the form of a pen whose body is hollow and forms a product reserve communicating with an application member which is in the form of a tip made of porous material, generally a felt, fed with product by capillary action and allowing a line of eyeliner to be drawn on the eyelids, at the base of the eyelashes, and/or allowing a flick to be drawn on the outer corner of the eye, are also known in this field.

Applicators in the form of dip applicators moreover exist in this field, comprising a handling element, a stem and an application member borne at the end of the stem and intended to be dipped into a container containing the product to be applied so as to be loaded with product and to allow a line of eyeliner to be drawn on the eyelids, at the base of the eyelashes, and/or to allow a flick to be drawn on the outer corner of the eye.

However, the use of such eyeliner applicators by drawing, with which the application member is placed in contact with the eyelid and drawn parallel to the lash line to draw a line of eyeliner, requires a certain amount of practice and a certain dexterity to draw a sharp, continuous and precise line of eyeliner on the eyelids.

Moreover, in particular in the case of more elderly users, the drawing action associated with the eyeliner applicator may cause a certain amount of deformation of the eyelid during the passage of the application member thereon, which has a tendency to generate an irregular line and to intensify the fine lines of the eyelid. Thus, in order to overcome these drawbacks, applicators have been developed which are equipped with members for applying cosmetic product by stamping on the skin. In such applicators, the application member has an application surface suitable for being loaded with cosmetic product by placing the application surface in contact with the cosmetic product and for being at least partially placed in contact with the skin to deposit by stamping thereon a line or trace of cosmetic product whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the part of the application surface placed in contact with the skin.

By means of such applicators, the action of applying cosmetic product and in particular eyeliner to the eyelids is facilitated since the stamping action is easier to control for inexperienced users than that in which a line of eyeliner is drawn using an application member which is slid along the eyelid.

Moreover, with such stamping applicators, the eyelid is not deformed during the application of eyeliner, and as such the line of eyeliner thus formed is sharper and more precise, in particular in the case of more elderly users, whose eyelids have a tendency to become deformed or to fold easily when an application member is moved thereon by sliding.

FR3026620 in the name of the Applicant describes such a stamping applicator, in which the application member is provided at the end of a handle and is in the form of a spatula, one drop-shaped face of which is provided to allow stamping application of a line of eyeliner forming a flick on the corner of the eye.

However, with such an applicator, only the flick in the corner of the eye can be formed on a user's eyelids and the application member is unsuitable for forming a line of eyeliner on the eyelids, at the base of the eyelashes.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,635,924 also describes a stamping applicator in which the application member received at the end of a handle has a triangular overall shape and is intended only for the stamping application of the flick on the outer corner of the eyes and is unsuitable for forming a line of eyeliner on the eyelids, at the base of the eyelashes.

The present invention is directed towards overcoming these drawbacks and to this end proposes an application member for applying cosmetic product by stamping on the skin, in particular for applying eyeliner to the eyelids, defining a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and an antero-posterior axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the transverse axis, and having a front application surface suitable for being loaded with cosmetic product by placing the front application surface in contact with the cosmetic product and for being at least partially placed in contact with the skin to deposit by stamping thereon a line or trace of cosmetic product whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the part of the front application surface placed in contact with the skin, in which the front application surface has an elongated shape along the transverse axis and is outwardly convex when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis.

By means of these provisions, the application of a line of eyeliner on the eyelid, the shape and the contour of which correspond to that of the part of the front application surface placed in contact with the skin, is performed easily and ergonomically for an inexperienced user, and in a precise manner for a more elderly user, by placing at least a part of the front application surface in contact with the eyelid, at the base of the eyelashes, with the transverse axis of the application member extending substantially parallel to the lash line and in particular with the longitudinal axis of the application member extending substantially perpendicular to the eyelid.

A user may adopt different gestures to apply the cosmetic product by stamping using the application member according to the invention.

According to a first gesture of use, the user loads the entire front application surface with the cosmetic product and places substantially the entire front application surface in contact with the skin to deposit thereon by stamping a line of a cosmetic product whose shape and coutour substantially correspond to the shape and contour of the front application surface.

Thus, the application of a line of eyeliner on the eyelid whose shape and contour substantially correspond to those of the front application surface is achieved by placing the front application surface loaded with the product in contact with the eyelid, at the eyelash base, with the transverse axis of the applicator member extending substantially parallel to the line of implantation of the eyelashes and preferably with the longitudinal axis of the applicator member extending substantially perpendicular to the eyelid, and by rolling the front application surface on the eyelid, by rotation of the applicator member about the antero-posterior axis, alternately in a first and a second direction of rotation.

The outwardly convex shape of the front application surface when one observes the applicator member in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis advantageously facilitates this rolling movement of the front application surface on the eyelid, by rotation of the applicator member around the antero-posterior axis.

According to a second gesture of use, the user loads all or part of the front application surface with the cosmetic product and places only a part of the front application surface loaded with the product, for example a central part or a lateral part, in particular a lateral half, of the front application surface, in contact with the skin to deposit thereon by stamping a line of cosmetic product whose shape and contour substantially correspond to the shape and contour of the portion of the front application surface put into contact with the skin.

Thus, the application of a line of eyeliner on the eyelid whose shape and contour substantially correspond to those of the portion of the front application surface placed in contact with the skin is achieved by placing a portion of the front application surface loaded with the product in contact with the eyelid, at the base of the eyelashes, with the transverse axis of the applicator member extending substantially parallel to the line of implantation of the eyelashes, in particular with the longitudinal axis of the applicator member extending substantially perpendicular to the eyelid and preferably without rolling the front application surface on the eyelid.

If the dimensions of the applicator member are such that it takes several adjacent successive applications to achieve the application of a full line of eyeliner on an eyelid at the base of an eyelash, this line running from outer corner of an eye to an inner corner of an eye, then, with the first gesture, the user can advantageously achieve the application of a full line of eyeliner in a smaller number of successive applications compared to the second gesture. However, this first gesture requires rolling the front application surface on the eyelid, by rotation of the applicator member around the antero-posterior axis, which can be tricky for some users who prefer to adopt the second gesture, even if it requires a greater number of successive applications to form a complete line of eyeliner at the base of the eyelashes.

An application member according to the invention may be in the form of a tip which may be connected to a handle, and in particular to an end of a handle that can be handled by a user.

The application member according to the invention is advantageously used at the end of a handle that can be handled by the user. Thus, the application member has along the longitudinal axis an end for attaching to a handle and an opposite application end bearing the front application surface.

The term “elongated shape along the transverse axis” for the front application surface should be understood as meaning that the front application surface has a greater dimension along the transverse axis than along the antero-posterior axis or along the longitudinal axis.

Such an elongated form of the front application surface makes it possible by stamping on the skin to form a line whose form and contour correspond to the shape and contour of the part of the front application surface placed into contact with the skin, and thus elongated, on the eyelid, at the base of the eyelashes.

Moreover, the term “front application surface which is outwardly convex when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis” should be understood as meaning that the intersection between the front application surface and any plane parallel thereto defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis is a curved segment, in particular a circular segment, which is convex towards the exterior of the application member.

The outwardly convex profile of the front application surface in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis makes it possible easily and precisely by stamping to apply a line of eyeliner at the base of the eyelashes, both on the domed part of the eyelid but also on the hollowed parts of the eyelid located in the region of the inner and outer corners of an eye.

Moreover, this outwardly convex profile of the front application surface promotes the rolling movement of the front application surface on the eyelid, by rotation of the applicator member around the antero-posterior axis, within the frame of the first gesture of use exposed above.

According to a particularly advantageous provision of the invention, the front application surface has a curved contour defining a concavity when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis.

The term “front application surface having a curved contour defining a concavity when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis” should be understood as meaning that the intersection between the front application surface and any plane parallel thereto defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis, or transverse section of the front application surface in the plane parallel thereto defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis, has a closed curved contour, in particular of bean shape extending along an axis of curved prolongation, especially a circle arc.

The curved contour of the front application surface in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis makes it possible to further improve the ease, ergonomics and precision of stamping application of a line of eyeliner at the base of the eyelashes, the concavity defined by this curved contour being adapted to the curvature of the lash line, such that the applied line of eyeliner follows this lash line as closely as possible.

According to other advantageous aspects, the applicator according to the invention incorporates one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or according to all the technically possible combinations:

-   -   the front application surface has a circular profile when the         application member is observed in the plane defined by the         longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, said circular profile         preferably having a radius of curvature inferior or equal to 60         mm, notably of between 30 mm and 50 mm, in particular of about         40 mm. By means of these provisions, the curvature of the front         application surface in the plane defined by the longitudinal         axis and the transverse axis is particularly well suited to the         sharp and precise application of eyeliner both on the domed part         of the eyelid but also on the hollowed parts of the eyelid         located in the region of the inner and outer corners of an eye.         Furthermore, such a curvature of the front application surface         in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse         axis facilitates the rolling movement of the front application         surface on the eyelid, by rotation of the application member         around the antero-posterior axis within the frame of the first         gesture of use exposed above.     -   the curved contour of the front application surface in the plane         defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis         extends along a curved axis, said curved axis advantageously         forming a circle arc preferably having a radius of curvature of         between 30 mm and 200 mm, and in particular of about 50 mm. By         means of these provisions, the curvature of the front         application surface in the plane defined by the transverse axis         and the antero-posterior axis is particularly well suited to         further improving the ease, ergonomics and precision of stamping         application of a line of eyeliner at the base of the eyelashes,         the concavity defined by this curved contour being adapted to         the curvature of the lash line, such that the applied line of         eyeliner follows this lash line as closely as possible.     -   the front application surface is substantially flat when the         application member is observed in the plane defined by the         longitudinal axis and the antero-posterior axis. In other words,         the intersection between the front application surface and any         plane parallel thereto defined by the longitudinal axis and the         antero-posterior axis is a substantially rectilinear segment.         Thanks to these provisions, there is provided an applicator         member ensuring a certain comfort of application, the         application surface not having in the plane defined by the         longitudinal axis and the antero-posterior axis any unpleasant,         even potentially injurious, edge when placed in contact with the         skin, while guaranteeing a controlled, constant and relatively         fine width of the cosmetic product line on the skin, and in         particular of the eyeliner line applied to the eyelids.     -   the front application surface extends over a height along the         longitudinal axis, and has a width measured along the transverse         axis between a first side extremity and a second opposite side         extremity and a thickness measured along the antero-posterior         axis between a first edge and a second opposite edge, and the         thickness of the front application surface varies on moving         along the transverse axis, and is minimal at the first side         extremity and/or at the second side extremity. By means of these         provisions, a stamping application member is obtained, the front         application surface of which is narrowed in the direction of one         or both of its side extremities, which makes it possible to         apply to the eyelid, and in particular to the ends of the eyelid         located in the region of the inner and outer corners of the eye,         a line of eyeliner at the narrowed end, which contributes         towards the aesthetic appeal of the resulting makeup. Moreover,         by means of the shape of the front application surface of the         application member which is thinned at the side extremities, it         is possible to apply a curved line of eyeliner, which follows         the curvature of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes, formed         from a plurality of adjacent lines deposited by stamping using         the application member, with an angular shift about the         longitudinal axis between the adjacent lines, so as to form a         substantially continuous contour, i.e. a contour which has         substantially no recesses/pronounced angles, in particular at         the junction between two adjacent lines. As a variant, the         thickness of the front application surface is substantially         constant on moving along the transverse axis. In particular,         when the front application surface has a curved contour in the         plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior         axis, said contour extending along a curved axis forming a         circle arc, the thickness of the front application surface is         substantially constant on moving along this curved axis. By         means of these provisions, a line of cosmetic product applied to         the skin by means of the front application surface will         correspondingly have a substantially constant thickness over its         entire length. This constant thickness of the front application         surface when observed in the plane defined by the transverse         axis and the antero-posterior axis, combined with the curved         contour of the front application surface in this same plane,         also advantageously makes it possible to apply a curved line of         eyeliner, which follows the curvature of the eyelid at the base         of the eyelashes, formed from a plurality of adjacent lines         deposited by stamping using the application member, with an         angular shift about the longitudinal axis between the adjacent         lines, so as to form a substantially continuous contour, i.e. a         contour which has substantially no recesses/pronounced angles,         in particular at the junction between two adjacent lines.     -   the thickness of the front application surface is minimal, and         in particular zero, at the first side extremity and/or at the         second side extremity, the first and second edges of the front         application surface meeting at the first side extremity and/or         at the second side extremity. Thanks to these provisions, there         is provided an applicator member for making a line of eyeliner         on the eyelid whose ends located at the inner and outer corners         of the eye are fine and aesthetic.     -   the thickness of the front application surface varies         continuously on moving along the transverse axis, said front         application surface having, in projection on a plane         perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a substantially oval         shape, in particular an ellipsoid shape. As a variant, the first         and second edges of the front application surface meet at the         first side extremity and/or at the second side extremity forming         a rounded shape, said front application surface having, in         projection on the plane defined by the transverse axis and the         antero-posterior axis, a curved substantially oblong shape. Such         shapes are particularly suitable for being able to form on the         eyelid adjacent lines of eyeliner, deposited successively by         being partially superposed at their ends, so as to form together         on the eyelid a continuous line, in particular a curved line, of         eyeliner over the entire length of the eyelid, by adapting to         the topology thereof. Such a shape in particular makes it         possible to apply a curved line of eyeliner, which follows the         curvature of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes, formed         from a plurality of adjacent lines deposited by stamping using         the application member, with an angular shift about the         longitudinal axis between the adjacent lines, so as to form a         contour of substantially continuous curvature, i.e. a contour         which has substantially no recesses/pronounced angles, in         particular at the junction between two adjacent lines.     -   the maximum thickness of the front application surface, which is         preferably halfway between the first and second side extremities         of the front application surface, is between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm,         and preferably of about 1.3 mm.     -   the width of the front application surface is advantageously         between 10 and 20 and in particular of about 15 mm.     -   the first and/or second edge of the front application surface         has, in particular at the first and/or second side extremity, a         rim projecting from the front application face along the         longitudinal axis. Such a projecting rim advantageously makes it         possible to create a reserve of cosmetic product between the         front application surface and this projecting rim, thus         increasing the amount of cosmetic product that can be carried on         the application member and improving the autonomy thereof, the         user being required to reload it with product less frequently.

According to an advantageous provision, the application member also has a side application surface adjacent to the front application surface and extending substantially perpendicular thereto, said side application surface preferably being outwardly concave when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis.

The implementation of such a lateral or side application surface forming a sharp angle with the front application surface is particularly advantageous in order to limit the risk of smear between a product trace deposited by means of the front application surface and a product trace deposited by means of the lateral application surface.

Moreover, when the application member according to the invention is attached to a handle, in particular with the longitudinal axis of the handle coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, the implementation of a such lateral application surface is particularly convenient in terms of ergonomics of use, in particular for depositing a trace of product, especially eyeliner, at the inner corner of an eye while avoiding that the handle hits against the nose ridge as it would be the case if the application of product at the inner corner of the eye was achieved by means of the front application surface. Indeed, in such a case, when applying a trace of eyeliner at the inner corner of an eye by means of the lateral application surface, the handle is placed with its longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to the eyelid and the risk of bumping the ridge of the nose during this application is thus limited.

The term “side application surface which is outwardly concave when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis” should be understood as meaning that the intersection between the side application surface and any plane parallel thereto defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis is a curved segment, in particular a circular segment, which is concave towards the exterior of the application member.

The outwardly concave profile of the side application surface in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis makes it possible easily and precisely by stamping to apply a line of eyeliner at the base of the eyelashes, in particular on the hollowed parts of the eyelid located in the region of the inner and outer corners of an eye.

Preferably, the side application surface has a circular profile when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, said circular profile preferably having a radius of curvature of between 140 mm and 170 mm, in particular of about 155 mm. By means of these provisions, the curvature of the side application surface in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis is particularly well suited to the sharp and precise application of a line of eyeliner, in particular on the hollowed parts of the eyelid located in the region of the inner and outer corners of the eye.

Alternatively, the lateral application surface is flat or outwardly convex when the applicator member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis.

According to an advantageous provision of the invention, the side application surface has an indentation in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis. With the implementation of this indentation, and preferably of an indentation on each side application surface, the height of the application member along the longitudinal axis is reduced in its side portions relative to the height of its central portion. These side portions of the application member, which have indentations perpendicular thereto, thus have greater flexibility, especially in the directions of the longitudinal axis and the antero-posterior axis, than the central portion of the application member. These provisions are particularly advantageous for applying a curved line of eyeliner, which follows the curvature of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes, formed from a plurality of adjacent lines deposited by stamping using the application member, the flexibility of the side portions of the application member allowing the user to modify the deformation of the application member to obtain a substantially continuous contour, i.e. a contour which has substantially no recesses/pronounced angles, in particular at the junction between two adjacent lines.

In one embodiment of the invention it may be envisaged that at least the front application surface of the application member bears flocking. Such flocking makes it possible in particular to increase the autonomy of the application member.

The present invention is also directed towards an applicator for applying cosmetic product by stamping on the skin, in particular for applying eyeliner to the eyelids, comprising:

-   -   a handle extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end         and a second opposite end;     -   an application member as defined previously attached to the         first end of the handle, said longitudinal axis of the handle         preferably coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the         application member.

As a variant, the longitudinal axis of the handle may be parallel to or may form an angle with the longitudinal axis of the application member.

Advantageously, the cross section of the handle in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis has a curved contour defining a concavity, said concavity preferably having the same orientation as the concavity defined by the curved contour of the front application surface in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis.

Preferably, the curved contour of the front application surface belonging to the application member in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis and/or the curved contour of the transverse section of the handle in this same plane is/are symmetrical relative to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the antero-posterior axis.

By means of these provisions, the handle and the application member of the applicator according to the invention both have a concave shape of the same orientation along the longitudinal axis in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis, so that the user intuitively and ergonomically determines how to hold the applicator to orient the concavity of the front application surface of the application member appropriately relative to her eyelid, i.e. in the direction of the eye to be made up.

Preferably, the curved contour of the cross section of the handle in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis extends along a curved axis, said curved axis advantageously forming a circle arc preferably having a radius of curvature of between 10 mm and 35 mm, and in particular of about 15 mm.

The curvature of the handle in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis may thus be more pronounced than the curvature of the front application surface in this same plane. In other words, the radius of curvature of the handle in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis may thus be smaller than the radius of curvature of the front application surface in this same plane. This is particularly advantageous insofar as, the curvature of the front application surface being adapted to the curvature of the lash line, it may be relatively small (of relatively large radius of curvature) and difficult for the user to detect in order for her to hold and manipulate the applicator in the appropriate orientation. The more pronounced curvature of the handle in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis more clearly indicates to the user the appropriate orientation for handling and manipulating the applicator.

According to an advantageous provision, the second end of the handle is equipped with a secondary application member having a secondary application surface suitable for being loaded with cosmetic product by placing the secondary application surface in contact with the cosmetic product and for being placed in contact with the skin to deposit by stamping thereon a line of cosmetic product whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the secondary application surface, the secondary application surface extending in particular in a plane forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the handle and preferably having a triangular or drop-shaped outer contour.

An applicator is thus obtained, which makes it possible to apply simultaneously, by stamping, a line of eyeliner along the eyelid, at the base of the eyelashes, and a flick of eyeliner, in the shape of a triangle or a drop, on the outer corner of the eye.

In one embodiment of the invention it may be envisaged that at least the secondary application surface of the secondary application member bears flocking. Such flocking makes it possible in particular to increase the autonomy of the secondary application member.

According to a preferential embodiment of the invention, the application member and/or the secondary application member is (are) attached to the first end and/or to the second end of the handle by overmoulding. Such a provision makes it possible to simplify the manufacture of the applicator and to limit the costs thereof, and also to facilitate its use in the form of a single object.

To this end, the first and second ends of the handle advantageously have protrusions defining hollow portions promoting the attachment by overmoulding of the application member and/or of the secondary application member to the handle.

As a variant, the application member and/or the secondary application member is (are) co-injected with the handle.

Preferably, the handle is made of a relatively rigid plastic, especially of a thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) or the like. Such a relatively rigid plastic may have, for example, a Shore hardness of greater than 80 Shore D.

Preferably, the application member and/or the secondary application member is (are) made of a relatively flexible plastic, such as a silicone, a rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Such a relatively flexible plastic may have, for example, a Shore hardness of between 20 Shore A and 80 Shore D.

The term “relatively rigid” should be understood as meaning that the plastic from which the handle is made has a rigidity greater than that from which the application member and/or the secondary application member is (are) made. Similarly, the term “relatively flexible” should be understood as meaning that the plastic from which the application member and the secondary application member is (are) made has a flexibility greater than that from which the handle is made.

Advantageously, the material from which the handle is made and the material from which the application member is made have a difference in hardness of at least 10 Shore units, better still of at least 20 Shore units.

The invention also relates to an assembly for packaging and stamping application of cosmetic product, in particular of eyeliner, comprising:

-   -   a container containing the cosmetic product to be applied;     -   an applicator as described previously.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a process is proposed for applying cosmetic product to the skin, in particular for applying eyeliner to the eyelids, comprising the steps consisting in:

-   -   providing a packaging and application assembly as described         above;     -   loading of at least a part the front application surface with         cosmetic product to be applied by placing said part of the front         application surface in contact with the cosmetic product         contained in the container;     -   applying the cosmetic product loaded on the front application         surface onto the skin by placing in contact with the skin, the         longitudinal axis of the application member preferably being         placed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the skin,         and, where appropriate, the concavity of the front application         surface being oriented in the direction of the eye, to deposit         by stamping on the skin a line of cosmetic product whose shape         and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of         the part of front application surface placed in contact with the         skin.

According to an advantageous provision, the process according to the invention comprises a plurality of successive steps of applying the cosmetic product loaded on the front application surface onto the skin, the lines of cosmetic product successively deposited on the skin being adjacent to each other and preferably partially superposing, so as to form together on the skin a continuous line, in particular a continuous curved line, of cosmetic product.

By means of the shape of the front application surface of the application member which is thinned at the side extremities, it is possible to apply a curved line of eyeliner, which follows the curvature of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes, formed from a plurality of adjacent lines deposited by stamping using the application member, with an angular shift about the longitudinal axis between the adjacent lines, so as to form a contour of substantially continuous curvature, i.e. a contour which has substantially no recesses/pronounced angles, in particular at the junction between two adjacent lines.

Advantageously, two adjacent lines of cosmetic product deposited successively onto the skin are superposed over a length of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 and 3 mm, in particular of about 2 mm.

In the case of using an application member comprising a side application surface as described above, the process according to the invention advantageously comprises the following additional steps:

-   -   loading the side application surface with cosmetic product to be         applied by placing the side application surface in contact with         the cosmetic product contained in the container;     -   applying the cosmetic product loaded on the side application         surface onto the skin, in particular at an inner corner of the         eyelid, by placing in contact with the skin, the longitudinal         axis of the application member preferably being placed         substantially parallel to the surface of the skin, to deposit by         stamping thereon a line of cosmetic product whose shape and         contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the         side application surface, in particular said line deposited by         means of the side application surface being adjacent and being         partially superposed with a line of cosmetic product deposited         by means of the front application surface.

In the case of using an applicator provided with a secondary application member as described above, the process according to the invention advantageously comprises the following additional steps:

-   -   loading the secondary application surface with cosmetic product         to be applied by placing the secondary application surface in         contact with the cosmetic product contained in the container;     -   applying the cosmetic product loaded on the secondary         application surface onto the skin, in particular at an outer         corner of the eyelid, by placing in contact with the skin to         deposit by stamping thereon a line of cosmetic product whose         shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and         contour of the secondary application surface, said line         deposited by means of the secondary application surface         preferably being connected to a line of cosmetic product         deposited by means of the front application surface.

By means of the process according to the invention, the eyes can be fully made up easily, ergonomically and precisely by means of an eyeliner composition comprising the line extending over the eyelids at the base of the eyelashes between the inner corner and the outer corner of the eye, and also the flick located on the outer corner of the eyes, by successive stamping operations.

The invention may be understood more clearly on reading the description that follows of non-limiting implementation examples thereof with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective an applicator for the stamping application of cosmetic product in a first embodiment using an application member according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in longitudinal cross section of the applicator of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the application member of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating the successive stamping applications of three lines of eyeliner using the applicator of FIGS. 1 to 4 according to a first gestures of use;

FIG. 6 is a partial view in exploded perspective of an applicator for the stamping application of cosmetic product in the first embodiment using an application member according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial view in longitudinal cross section of the applicator of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates in perspective an assembly for packaging and stamping application of a cosmetic product according to the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a step of stamping application of a line of eyeliner onto a user's eyelid by means of the front application surface of an application member equipping an applicator of an assembly for packaging and stamping application of a cosmetic product according to the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a step of stamping application of a flick of eyeliner onto the outer corner of a user's eye by means of the secondary application member of an applicator belonging to an assembly for packaging and stamping application of a cosmetic product according to the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a step of stamping application of a line of eyeliner onto the eyelid at the inner corner of a user's eye by means of the side application surface of an application member equipping an applicator of an assembly for packaging and stamping application of a cosmetic product according to the invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a first gestures of use of the application member according to the invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a second gestures of use of the application member according to the invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates in perspective an applicator for the stamping application of cosmetic product in a second embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the applicator of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a top view of the applicator of FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a view in cross section along the line XVII-XVII of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a view in cross section along the line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 illustrates in perspective a variant of the applicator for the stamping application of cosmetic product in the second embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a front view of the applicator of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a schematic view illustrating the successive stamping applications of three lines of eyeliner using the applicator of FIGS. 14 to 20 according to a first gestures of use.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show an applicator 1 for the stamping application of cosmetic product P onto the skin, in particular for the application of eyeliner onto the eyelids, in a first embodiment, using an application member according to a first embodiment of the invention.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the applicator 1 comprises a handle 2 extending along a longitudinal axis X′ between a first end 21 and a second opposite end 22.

The first end 21 of the handle 2 is equipped with an application member 3 or main application member, and the second end 22 of the handle 2 is equipped with a secondary application member 4 as will be seen in greater detail herein below.

The main application member 3 is in the form of a tip connected to the first end 21 of the handle 2 which can be handled by a user.

The main application member 3 provided for the stamping application of cosmetic product P onto the skin, in particular for the application of eyeliner to the eyelids, defines a longitudinal axis X, a transverse axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and an antero-posterior axis Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and to the transverse axis Y.

In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, when the application member 3 is attached to the first end 21 of the handle 2, the longitudinal axis X of the main application member 3 is coincident with the longitudinal axis X′ of the handle 2.

As variants, not shown, the longitudinal axis X of the application member 3 may be parallel to or may form an angle with the longitudinal axis X′ of the handle 2 when the application member 3 is attached to the first end 21 of the handle 2, an offsetting or deviating arm being able, for example, to connect the application member 3 to the first end 21 of the handle 2.

As is seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, the main application member 3 has a front application surface 30 suitable for being loaded with cosmetic product P to be applied, in the present case an eyeliner composition, by placing the front application surface 30 in contact with the cosmetic product P and for being at least partially placed in contact with the skin, in the present case the eyelids, especially at the base of the eyelashes, to deposit by stamping thereon a line of product P whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the part of the front application surface 30 placed in contact with the skin.

The main application member 3 has along the longitudinal axis X a first end 37 which constitutes an end for attaching to the handle 2 and a second opposite end 38 bearing the front application surface 30.

According to the invention, and as is clearly seen in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front application surface 30 has an elongated shape along the transverse axis Y, which is outwardly convex when the application member 3 is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y.

The term “elongated shape along the transverse axis Y” should be understood as meaning that the front application surface has a greater dimension along this transverse axis Y and that its dimensions along the longitudinal axis X and along the antero-posterior axis Z are less than that along the transverse axis Y.

Moreover, and as is more specifically seen in FIG. 3, the front application surface 30 advantageously has a circular profile, in other words the front application surface 30 extends along a circle arc, when the main application member 3 is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y, or plane X, Y.

Thus, the term “front application surface 30 which is outwardly convex when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y” should be understood as meaning that the intersection between the front application surface 30 and any plane parallel thereto defined by the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y is a curved segment, in particular a circular segment, which is convex towards the exterior of the main application member 3.

Advantageously, the circular profile of the front application surface 30 in the plane X, Y has a radius of curvature inferior or equal to 60 mm, notably of between 30 mm and 50 mm, and in particular of about 40 mm. Such a curvature is particularly advantageous for being able easily and precisely to apply a line of eyeliner composition both onto the domed part of the eyelid, but also in the hollowed parts of the eyelid located in particular at the ends of the eyelid in the region of the inner and outer corners of an eye.

Moreover, and as may be seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, the front application surface 30 is substantially flat when the main application member 3 is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis X and the antero-posterior axis Z, or plane X, Z. In other words, the intersection between the front application surface 30 and any plane parallel to the plane X, Z is a substantially rectilinear segment.

As a variant, it may be envisaged for the front application surface 30 to be outwardly convex when the main application member 30 is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis X and the antero-posterior axis Z, or plane X, Z. Thus, in this variant, the intersection between the front application surface 30 and any plane parallel to the plane X, Z is a substantially curved segment, in particular a circular segment.

As is seen in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front application surface 30 extends over a height h along the longitudinal axis X between its first end 37 for attachment to the handle and its second end 38 bearing the front application surface 30.

The front application surface 30 moreover has a width I measured along the transverse axis Y between a first side extremity 31 and a second opposite side extremity 32.

The width I of the front application surface 30 is advantageously between 10 mm and 20 mm and in particular of about 15 mm.

Finally, the front application surface 30 has a thickness e measured along the antero-posterior axis Z between a first edge 33 and a second opposite edge 34.

According to an advantageous provision of the invention, the thickness e of the front application surface 30 varies on moving along the transverse axis Y, and is minimal at the first side extremity 31 and at the second side extremity 32.

Thus, a main stamping application member 3 is obtained, the front application surface 30 of which is narrowed in the direction of its side extremities 31, 32, which makes it possible to apply to the eyelid, and in particular to the ends of the eyelid located in the region of the inner and outer corners of the eye, a line of eyeliner at the narrowed end, which contributes towards the aesthetic appeal of the resulting makeup.

Moreover, and as will be presented in greater detail in the rest of the present description, by means of the shape of the front application surface 30 of the main application member 3 which is thinned at the side extremities 31, 32, it is possible to apply a curved line of eyeliner, which follows the curvature of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes, formed from a plurality of adjacent lines deposited by stamping using the application member 3, with an angular shift about the longitudinal axis X between the adjacent lines, so as to form a contour of substantially continuous curvature, i.e. a contour which has substantially no recesses/pronounced angles, in particular at the junction between two adjacent lines.

More specifically, in the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the thickness e of the front application surface 30 is zero at the first and second side extremities 31, 32, the first and second edges 33, 34 of the front application surface 30 meeting at these first and second side extremities 31, 32.

Even more specifically, in the embodiments illustrated in the FIGS. 1 to 11, and as may be seen in particular in FIG. 4, the thickness e of the front application surface 30 varies continuously on moving along the transverse axis Y, said front application surface 30 having, in projection on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, a substantially oval shape, in particular an ellipsoid shape.

The maximum thickness of the front application surface, which, in the embodiments illustrated, is halfway between the first and second side extremities 31, 32 of the front application surface 30, is between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm, and preferably of about 1.3 mm.

According to an advantageous provision of the invention, the front application surface 30 of the main application member 3 is prolonged laterally by side application surfaces 35, 36 extending substantially perpendicular to the front application surface 30.

In the manner of the front application surface 30, the side application surfaces 35, 36 are suitable for being loaded with cosmetic product P by placing the side application surfaces 35, 36 in contact with the cosmetic product P and for being placed in contact with the skin to deposit by stamping thereon a line of cosmetic product P whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the side application surfaces 35, 36.

Advantageously, the side application surfaces 35, 36 are outwardly concave when the application member is observed in the plane X, Y.

The term “outwardly concave when the application member is observed in the plane X, Y” should be understood as meaning that the intersection between the side application surfaces 35, 36 and any plane parallel to the plane X, Y is a curved segment, in particular a circular segment, which is concave towards the exterior of the main application member 3.

As will be described herein below, the outwardly concave profile of the side application surfaces 35, 36 in the plane X, Y makes it possible easily and precisely by stamping to apply a line of eyeliner at the base of the eyelashes, in particular on the hollowed parts of the eyelid located in the region of the inner and outer corners of an eye.

Preferably, the side application surfaces 35, 36 have a circular profile when the main application member 3 is observed in the plane X, Y, said circular profile preferably having a radius of curvature of between 140 mm and 170 mm, in particular of about 155 mm. By means of these provisions, the curvature of the side application surfaces 35, 36 in the plane X, Y is particularly well suited to the sharp and precise application of a line of eyeliner, in particular on the hollowed parts of the eyelid located in the region of the inner and outer corners of the eye.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an applicator for the stamping application of cosmetic product using an application member according to a second embodiment of the invention. This second embodiment of the invention differs from the first in that the side application surfaces 35, 36 have a larger dimension along the longitudinal axis X.

Thus, in the first embodiment, the main application member 3 has, along the longitudinal axis X, a height h of between 3 mm and 6 mm, for example of about 4.5 mm, and, in the second embodiment, the main application member 3 has, along the longitudinal axis X, a height h of between 10 mm and 20 mm, for example of about 15 mm.

Moreover, and as may be seen in particular in FIGS. 1 to 3, the second end 22 of the handle 2 is equipped with a secondary application member 4.

This secondary application member 4 has a secondary application surface 40 suitable for being loaded with cosmetic product P by placing the secondary application surface 40 in contact with the cosmetic product P and for being placed in contact with the skin to deposit by stamping thereon a line is of cosmetic product P whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the secondary application surface 40.

The secondary application surface 40 extends in a plane forming an angle with the longitudinal axis X′ of the handle 2 and has a triangular or drop-shaped outer contour.

This secondary application member 4 allows the stamping application of a flick of eyeliner on the outer corner of the eye.

An applicator 1 is thus obtained which allows the stamping application both of a line of eyeliner along the eyelid, at the base of the eyelashes, using the front application surface 30 and the side application surfaces 35, 36 belonging to the main application member 3, and of a flick of eyeliner on the outer corner of the eye, using the secondary application surface 40 belonging to the secondary application member 4.

Preferably, the handle 2 and the main and secondary application members 3, 4 of the applicator are made of plastic.

More precisely, the handle 2 is advantageously made of a relatively rigid plastic, especially of a thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) or the like. Such a relatively rigid plastic may have, for example, a Shore hardness of greater than 80 Shore D.

Moreover, the main application member 3 and the secondary application member 4 are made of a relatively flexible plastic, such as a silicone, a rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Such a relatively flexible plastic may have, for example, a Shore hardness of between 20 Shore A and 80 Shore D.

The term “relatively rigid” should be understood as meaning that the plastic from which the handle 2 is made has a rigidity greater than that from which the main application member 3 and the secondary application member 4 are made. Similarly, the term “relatively flexible” should be understood as meaning that the plastic from which the main application member 3 and the secondary application member 4 are made has a flexibility greater than that from which the handle 2 is made.

Advantageously, the material from which the handle 2 is made and the material from which the main application member 3 and the secondary application member 4 are made have a difference in hardness of at least 10 Shore units, better still of at least 20 Shore units.

Advantageously, the main application member 3 and the secondary application member 4 are assembled on the handle 2 of the applicator 1 by overmoulding.

To this end, the first and second ends 21, 22 of the handle 2 advantageously have protrusions defining hollow portions for promoting the attachment by overmoulding of the main application member 3 and of the secondary application member 4 to the handle 2.

The first end 21 of the handle 2 receiving the main application member 3 thus has an arch 210 defining a hollow with the main body of the handle 2 into which the constituent material of the main application member 3 penetrates during overmoulding of the main application member 3 on the handle 2.

The second end 22 of the handle 2 receiving the secondary application member 4 thus has a stud 220 optionally provided with a radial groove making it possible to define reliefs for promoting the attachment of the secondary application member by overmoulding onto the second end 22 of the handle 2.

As a variant, the stud is adapted to be inserted with gripping inside a complementary housing provided on the secondary application member 4.

According to yet another variant, the main application member 3 and/or the secondary application member 4 is (are) co-injected with the handle 2.

The present invention also relates to an assembly, illustrated in FIG. 8, comprising an applicator 1 as described previously, and a container 5 containing the product P to be applied using the applicator, in the present case an eyeliner composition to be applied to the eyelids.

A method according to the invention for the stamping application of an eyeliner composition onto the eyelids using the applicator as described previously will now be described in relation with FIGS. 5 and 8 to 11.

In a first step of the process according to the invention, an assembly for the packaging and application of cosmetic product as described previously and as seen in FIG. 8 is provided.

In a second step, at least a part of the front application surface 30 is loaded with cosmetic product P to be applied, in the present case an eyeliner composition, by placing said part of the front application surface 30 in contact with the cosmetic product P contained in the container 5.

According to the first gestures of use, the user loads the entire front application surface 30 with the cosmetic product P to be applied, in this case an eyeliner composition, by contacting the entire front application surface 30 with the cosmetic product P contained in the container 5.

According to the second gestures of use, the user can load the entire front application surface 30 or only a part of the front application surface 30, for example a central part or a side part, in particular a lateral half, of the front application surface, with the cosmetic product P to be applied, in this case an eyeliner composition, by contacting the entire front application surface 30 or only a portion of the front application surface with the cosmetic product P contained in the container 5.

In a third step, and as may be seen in FIG. 9, the cosmetic product P loaded on the front application surface 30 is applied to an eyelid by placing the front application surface 30 in contact with the eyelid, the transverse axis Y of the application member 3 extending preferably substantially parallel to the line of implantation of the eyelashes, and the longitudinal axis X of the application member 3 preferably being placed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the eyelid, to deposit by stamping thereon a line t of cosmetic product P, the shape and contour of which corresponds substantially to the shape and contour of the part of the front application surface 30 placed in contact with the eyelid.

According to the first gestures of use, the user places substantially all the front application surface 30 in contact with the skin to deposit thereon by stamping a trace of cosmetic product P whose shape and contour substantially correspond to the shape and contour of the front application surface 30.

Thus, according to this first gestures of use, the application of a trace of eyeliner t on the eyelid whose shape and contour substantially correspond to those of the front application surface 30 is achieved by placing the front application surface 30 loaded with product in contact with the eyelid, at the base of the eyelashes, with the transverse axis Y of the applicator member 3 extending substantially parallel to the line of implantation of the eyelashes and preferably with the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member 3 extending substantially perpendicular to the eyelid, and by rolling the front application surface 30 on the eyelid, by rotation of the applicator member 3 around the antero-posterior axis Z, alternately in a first and a second direction of rotation, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

In this FIG. 12, the applicator 1 is illustrated in the three successive positions of stamping application making it possible to produce a complete line of eyeliner on an eyelid by means of the first gestures of use, with the longitudinal axis X1, X2, X3 occupying three successive positions on the eyelid, along the eyelash implantation line, and extending in each case substantially perpendicular to the eyelid, the front application surface 30 then being caused to roll over the eyelid by rotation of the applicator member 3 around the antero-posterior axis Z, alternately in a first and a second direction of rotation, as illustrated by the double arrows in FIG. 12.

The outwardly convex shape of the front application surface 30 when one observes the applicator member 3 in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y advantageously facilitates this rolling movement of the front application surface 30 on the eyelid, by rotation of the applicator member 3 around the antero-posterior axis Z.

According to the second gestures of use, the user loads all or part of the front application surface 30 with the cosmetic product and places only a part of the front surface 30 that is loaded with product, for example a central part or a side part, in particular a lateral half, of the front application surface 30, in contact with the skin to deposit thereon by stamping a trace of a cosmetic product whose shape and contour substantially correspond to the shape and contour of the part of the front application surface 30 placed in contact with the skin.

Thus, according to this second gestures of use, the application of an eyeliner trace on the eyelid whose shape and contour substantially correspond to those of the portion of the front application surface 30 placed in contact with the eyelid is carried out by placing a portion of the product-loaded front application surface 30 in contact with the eyelid, at the base of the eyelashes, with the transverse axis Y of the applicator member 3 extending substantially parallel to the eyelash implantation line, especially with the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member 3 extending substantially perpendicularly to the eyelid and preferably without rolling the front application surface 30 on the eyelid, as shown in FIG. 13.

In this FIG. 13, the applicator 1 is illustrated in the five successive positions of stamping application making it possible to produce a complete line of eyeliner on an eyelid by means of the second gestures of use, with the longitudinal axis X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 occupying five successive positions on the eyelid, along the line of implantation of the eyelashes, and extending each time substantially perpendicular to the eyelid. Unlike the first gesture of use, in the second gesture of use, the applicator is not tingled around the antero-posterior axis and a user applies the product on the eyelid by small touch, moving the applicator according to the normal to the eyelid.

According to an advantageous provision of the process according to the invention, a plurality of successive steps of applying the eyeliner composition P loaded on the front application surface 30 to the eyelid is performed to form thereon a line of eyeliner along the entire length of the eyelid, at the base of the eyelashes, between the ends of the eyelid located in the region of the inner corner C1 and the outer corner C2 of the eye, as may be seen in FIG. 11.

As may be seen in this FIG. 11, the lines of eyeliner composition P successively deposited on the skin are adjacent to each other and are partially superposed, so as to form together on the skin a continuous curved line T, following the topology of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes between the ends of the eyelid located in the region of the inner corner C1 and the outer corner C2 of the eye.

FIG. 5 illustrates the successive applications by stamping of three traces t1, t2, t3 of eyeliner by means of the applicator of FIGS. 1 to 4 according to the first gestures of use, in which the user loads the entire surface of front application with the product P and apply the product charged on an eyelid by contacting the entire front application surface 30 with the eyelid, at the base of the eyelashes, with the transverse axis Y1, Y2, Y3 of the application member 3 extending substantially parallel to the line of implantation of the eyelashes and preferably with the longitudinal axis X1, X2, X3 of the applicator member 3 extending substantially perpendicular to the eyelid, and making rolling the front application surface 30 on the eyelid, by rotation of the applicator member 3 around the antero-posterior axis, alternately in a first and a second direction of rotation, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

According to an advantageous provision of the process according to the invention, according to the first or the second gestures of use, and as represented in FIG. 5, two adjacent lines t1, t2, t3 of eyeliner composition P successively deposited on the skin are superposed over a length Lsp1, Lsp2 of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 and 3 mm, in particular of about 2 mm.

This superposition length Lsp1, Lsp2 of a first and a second adjacent line t1, t2 and t2, t3 is measured along the transverse axis Y2, Y3 of the second line t2, t3 applied.

Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the superposition length Lsp1 between the first line t1 and the second line t2 is measured along the transverse axis Y2 of the second line t2, and the superposition length Lsp2 between the second line t2 and the third line t3 is measured along the transverse axis Y3 of the third line t3.

Moreover, and according to another advantageous provision of the process according to the invention, the successive steps of applying eyeliner composition P using the front application surface 30 are performed by imparting an angular shift α1, α2 about the longitudinal axis X between a first line to of eyeliner composition and an adjacent line tn+1.

Thus, and as may be seen in FIG. 5, the first line t1 of eyeliner composition P is deposited on the eyelid by placing the transverse axis Y1 in a first angular orientation about the longitudinal axis X, intended to be adapted to the place of the eyelid onto which it is desired to apply a first line t1 of eyeliner composition P.

A second line t2 is then applied, by angularly shifting the application member about its longitudinal axis X by an angle α1 and by partially superposing the second line t2 with the first line t1 over a superposition length Lsp1.

A third line t3 is then applied, by angularly shifting the application member about its longitudinal axis X by an angle α2 and by partially superposing the third line t3 with the second line t2 over a superposition length Lsp2.

In the embodiment illustrated, the superposition lengths Lsp1, Lsp2 between the first and second lines t1, t2, on the one hand, and the second and third lines t2, t3, on the other hand, are equal.

However, these superposition lengths Lsp1, Lsp2 may be different without departing from the scope of the present invention, the essential feature being that all of the lines form a continuous curved line T, following the topology of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes between the ends of the eyelid located in the region of the inner corner C1 and the outer corner C2 of the eye.

Similarly, in the embodiment illustrated, the shift angles α1, α2 about the longitudinal axis X between the transverse axes of the first and second lines t1, t2, on the one hand, and of the second and third lines t2, t3, on the other hand, are equal.

However, the shift angles α1, α2 may be different without departing from the scope of the present invention, the essential feature being that all of the lines form a continuous curved line T, following the topology of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes between the ends of the eyelid located in the region of the inner corner C1 and the outer corner C2 of the eye.

Moreover, although, in the embodiment illustrated, three lines t1, t2, t3 are applied to form together a continuous curved line T, following the topology of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes between the ends of the eyelid located in the region of the inner corner C1 and the outer corner C2 of the eye, this line T could be produced with more or less than three lines.

In particular, and as visible in FIG. 13, the second gestures of use of the applicator member according to the invention imposes a greater number of successive applications to form a complete line of eyeliner at the base of the eyelashes as the first gesture of use.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated, a complete line of eyeliner at the base of the eyelashes from the inner corner C1 to the outer corner C2 of an eye is made in three successive applications when the user adopts the first gestures of use as visible in FIG. 12 and in five successive applications when the user adopts the second gestures of use, as shown in FIG. 13.

As may be seen in FIG. 5, the ellipsoid shape of the front application surface projecting on a plane Y, Z, combined with the partial superposition of two adjacent lines t1, t2, t3, makes it possible to produce a resulting line T whose contour is curved and continuous, i.e. which has essentially no recesses/pronounced angles, in particular at the junction between two adjacent lines.

According to an advantageous provision, and as illustrated in FIG. 11, the process according to the invention may comprise the additional steps consisting in:

-   -   loading a side application surface 35, 36 with eyeliner         composition P to be applied by placing the side application         surface 35, 36 in contact with the eyeliner composition P         contained in the container 5; and     -   applying the eyeliner composition P loaded on the side         application surface 35, 36 onto the skin, in particular at an         inner corner C1 of the eyelid, by placing in contact with the         skin, the longitudinal axis X of the application member 3         preferably being placed substantially parallel to the surface of         the skin, to deposit by stamping thereon a line of eyeliner         composition P whose shape and contour correspond substantially         to the shape and contour of the side application surface 35, 36,         said line deposited by means of the side application surface 35,         36 being adjacent and being partially superposed with a line t         of eyeliner composition P deposited by means of the front         application surface 30.

Finally, the process according to the invention may advantageously comprise a step of finishing the application of the eyeliner composition on the eyelid, consisting in forming a flick V at the outer corner C2 of the eye, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.

Thus, the process according to the invention advantageously comprises the additional steps consisting in:

-   -   loading the secondary application surface 40 of the secondary         application member 4 with eyeliner composition P to be applied         by placing the secondary application surface 40 in contact with         the eyeliner composition P contained in the container 5; and     -   applying the eyeliner composition P loaded on the secondary         application surface 40 onto the skin, in particular at an outer         corner C2 of the eyelid, by placing in contact with the skin to         deposit by stamping thereon a line is of eyeliner composition P         whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape         and contour of the secondary application surface 40, said line         tss deposited by means of the secondary application surface 40         being adjacent to a line t of eyeliner composition P deposited         by means of the front application surface 30.

Thus, by means of the application member 3, the applicator 1 and the process according to the invention, it is possible to apply by stamping on the eyelid a line T following the topology of the eyelid at the base of the eyelashes between the ends of the eyelid located in the region of the inner corner C1 and the outer corner C2 of the eye, and the contour of which is curved and continuous, i.e. which has substantially no recesses/pronounced angles, in particular at the junction between two successively deposited adjacent lines.

By means of the process according to the invention, the eyes can be fully made up easily, ergonomically and precisely by means of an eyeliner composition comprising the line T extending over the eyelids at the base of the eyelashes between the inner corner C1 and the outer corner C2 of the eye, and also the flick V located on the outer corner of the eyes, by successive stamping operations.

FIGS. 14 to 21 show an applicator 1′ for the stamping application of cosmetic product P onto the skin, in particular for the application of eyeliner onto the eyelids, in a second embodiment.

In these figures, the elements identical or similar to the first embodiment of the applicator are designated by the same reference signs, to which is added the punctuation ′.

These elements that are common between the first and the second embodiments of the applicator according to the invention will not be described again in detail; only the elements distinguishing the second embodiment from the first one will form the subject of the detailed description that follows.

As may be seen in particular in FIGS. 14, 15, 19 and 20, the applicator 1′ comprises a handle 2′ extending along a longitudinal axis X′ between a first end 21′ and a second opposite end 22′.

The first end 21′ of the handle 2′ is equipped with an application member 3′ or main application member, and the second end 22′ of the handle 2′ is equipped with a secondary application member 4′.

In the implementation example illustrated in these FIGS. 14, 15, 19 and 20, this secondary application member 4′ is identical to the one described in relation with the first embodiment of an applicator according to the invention.

As a variant, the second end 22′ of the handle 2′ may be provided with an eyeliner application nib, such as a nib made of fibrous material, for example of felt, or a nib made of elastomer. Such an eyeliner application nib is advantageously fluidly connected to an eyeliner reservoir integrated in the handle 2′ to be fed with eyeliner, especially by capillary action or by flow.

The main application member 3′ is in the form of a tip connected to the first end 21′ of the handle 2′ which can be handled by a user.

The main application member 3′ provided for the stamping application of cosmetic product P onto the skin, in particular for the application of eyeliner to the eyelids, defines a longitudinal axis X, a transverse axis Y perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and an antero-posterior axis Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and to the transverse axis Y.

As may be seen in FIGS. 14, 15, 19 and 20, when the application member 3′ is attached to the first end 21′ of the handle 2′, the longitudinal axis X of the main application member 3′ is coincident with the longitudinal axis X′ of the handle 2′.

As is seen in these figures, the main application member 3′ has a front application surface 30′ suitable for being loaded with cosmetic product P to be applied, in the present case an eyeliner composition, by placing at least a part the front application surface 30′ in contact with the cosmetic product P and for being placed in contact with the skin, in the present case the eyelids, especially at the base of the eyelashes, to deposit by stamping thereon a line of product P whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the part of the front application surface 30′ placed in contact with the skin.

The main application member 3′ has along the longitudinal axis X a first end 37′ which constitutes an end for attaching to the handle 2′ and a second opposite end 38′ bearing the front application surface 30′.

As described in relation with the first embodiment of the applicator 1 according to the invention, the front application surface 30′ has an elongated shape along the transverse axis Y, which is outwardly convex when the application member 3′ is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y.

Similarly, the front application surface 30′ moreover has a width I′ measured along the transverse axis Y between a first side extremity 31′ and a second opposite side extremity 32′.

The width I′ of the front application surface 30′ is advantageously between 10 and 20 and in particular of about 15 mm.

Moreover, as may also be seen in FIG. 16, the front application surface 30′ of the application member 3′ belonging to the applicator 1′ according to the second embodiment of the invention has a curved contour defining a concavity C when the application member 3′ is observed in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z.

The curved contour of the front application surface 30′ in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z extends along a curved axis Ac.

This curved axis Ac advantageously forms a circle arc preferably having a radius of curvature R inferior or equal to 60 mm, notably of between 30 mm and 200 mm.

In the implementation example illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 21, and as may be seen in particular in FIG. 17, the radius of curvature R of the curved axis Ac is of about 50 mm.

The concavity C defined by the curved contour of the front application surface 30′ in the plane Y, Z advantageously has a depth p along the Z axis of between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm. In the implementation example illustrated in particular in FIG. 17, this depth p is of about 0.7 mm.

By means of these provisions, the curvature of the front application surface 30′ in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z is particularly well suited to improving the ease, ergonomics and precision of stamping application of a line of eyeliner at the base of the eyelashes, the concavity C defined by this curved contour being adapted to the curvature of the lash line, such that the applied line of eyeliner follows this lash line as closely as possible.

Advantageously, in the implementation examples illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 21, the cross section of the handle 2′ in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z also has a curved contour defining a concavity C′. This concavity C′ has the same orientation as the concavity C defined by the curved contour of the front application surface 30′ in this same plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis.

The curved contour of the front application surface 30′ belonging to the application member 3′ in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z and the curved contour of the cross section of the handle 2′ in this same plane are symmetrical relative to the plane defined by the longitudinal axis X and the antero-posterior axis Y. In other words, the curved contour of the front application surface 30′ belonging to the application member 3′ in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z and the curved contour of the cross section of the handle 2′ in this same plane are centered relative to each other on the axes Y, Z. Preferably, these two curved contours are also centered relative to each other on the longitudinal axis X.

By means of these provisions, the handle 2′ and the application member 3′ of the applicator 1′ both have a concave shape of the same orientation along the longitudinal axis X in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z, so that the user intuitively and ergonomically determines how to hold the applicator 1′ to orient the concavity C of the front application surface 30′ of the application member 3′ appropriately relative to her eyelid, i.e. in the direction of the eye to be made up.

The curved contour of the cross section of the handle 2′ in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z advantageously extends along a curved axis Ac′.

This curved axis Ac′ advantageously forms a circle arc preferably having a radius of curvature R′ of between 10 mm and 35 mm.

In the implementation example illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 21, and as may be seen in particular in FIG. 18, the radius of curvature R′ of the curved axis Ac′ is of about 15 mm.

The concavity C′ defined by the curved contour of the cross section of the handle 2′ in the plane Y, Z advantageously has a depth p′ along the Z axis of between 0.4 mm and 3 mm. In the implementation example illustrated in particular in FIG. 17, this depth p′ is of about 0.9 mm.

The curvature of the handle 2′ in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z is thus more pronounced than the curvature of the front application surface 30′ in this same plane.

In other words, the radius of curvature R′ of the handle 2′ in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z is smaller than the radius of curvature R of the front application surface 30′ in this same plane.

The more pronounced curvature of the handle 2′ in the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z clearly indicates to the user the appropriate orientation for handling and manipulating the applicator 1′.

As is seen in particular in FIG. 16, the thickness e of the front application surface 30′ is substantially constant on moving along the transverse axis Y, following the curved axis Ac.

The first and second edges 33′, 34′ of the front application surface 30′ meet at the first side extremity 31′ and the second side extremity 32′, forming a rounded shape.

The front application surface 30′ have in projection on the plane defined by the transverse axis Y and the antero-posterior axis Z a curved substantially oblong shape.

According to an advantageous provision, the first edge 33′ and the second edge 34′ of the front application surface 30′ have, in particular at the first side extremity 31′ and the second side extremity 32′, a rim projecting from the front application face 30′ along the longitudinal axis.

Such a rim, the projecting distance of which along the longitudinal axis X relative to the front application surface 30′, may be, for example, between 0.05 mm and 1 mm, or even 1.5 mm, advantageously makes it possible to create a reserve of cosmetic product between the front application surface 30′ and this projecting rim, thus increasing the amount of cosmetic product that can be carried on the application member 3′ and improving the autonomy thereof, the user being required to reload it with product less frequently.

According to an advantageous provision, and as may be seen in FIGS. 19 and 20, the side application surfaces 35′, 36′ each have an indentation 350′, 360′ in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y.

The height hf of the application member 3′ along the longitudinal axis X is thus reduced in its side portions relative to the height h of its central portion. These side portions of the application member 3′, which have indentations 350′, 360′ perpendicular thereto, thus have greater flexibility, especially in the directions of the longitudinal axis X and the antero-posterior axis Z, than the central portion of the application member 3′.

As may be seen very clearly in FIG. 21 which illustrates analogously to FIG. 5 a line T′ of eyeliner obtained after successive application of three lines of eyeliner t1′, t2′, t3′, by means of the use, according to the first gestures of use, of an application member 3′ whose front application surface 30′ is outwardly convex when it is observed in the plane X, Y and which also has a curved contour defining a concavity C when it is observed in the plane Y, Z, a continuous, sharp and recess-free line T′ may be produced, of relatively pronounced curvature and following the topology of the eyelid onto which the eyeliner is applied, at the base of the eyelashes.

In one implementation form of the invention, provision may be made for the application member 3, 3′, or at least the front application surface 30, 30′ of the application member 3, 3′, and/or for the secondary application member 4, 4′, or at least the secondary application surface 40, 40′, to have flocking.

The application members 3, 3′ according to the first and the second embodiments can be used with the first or the second gestures of use. 

1. An application member for the stamping application of cosmetic product on the skin, in particular for the application of eyeliner to the eyelids, defining a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and an antero-posterior axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and to the transverse axis, and having a front application surface suitable for being loaded with cosmetic product by placing the front application surface in contact with the cosmetic product and for being at least partially placed in contact with the skin to deposit by stamping thereon a line of cosmetic product whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the part of the front application surface placed in contact with the skin, wherein the front application surface has an elongated shape along the transverse axis, which is outwardly convex when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis.
 2. The application member according to claim 1, wherein the front application surface has a curved contour defining a concavity when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis.
 3. The application member according to claim 1, wherein the front application surface is substantially flat when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the antero-posterior axis.
 4. The application member according to claim 1, wherein the front application surface extends over a height along the longitudinal axis, and has a width measured along the transverse axis between a first side extremity and a second opposite side extremity and a thickness measured along the antero-posterior axis between a first edge and a second opposite edge, and wherein the thickness of the front application surface is substantially constant on moving along the transverse axis.
 5. The application member according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the front application surface is minimal, and in particular zero, at the first side extremity and/or at the second side extremity, the first and second edges of the front application surface meeting at the first side extremity and/or at the second side extremity.
 6. The application member according to claim 5, wherein the first and second edges of the front application surface meet at the first side extremity and/or at the second side extremity forming a rounded shape, said front application surface having, in projection on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a curved substantially oblong shape.
 7. The application member according to claim 4, wherein the first and/or second edge of the front application surface has, in particular at the first and/or second side extremity, a rim projecting from the front application face along the longitudinal axis.
 8. The application member according to claim 1, which also has a side application surface adjacent to the front application surface and extending substantially perpendicular thereto, said side application surface being outwardly concave when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis.
 9. The application member according to claim 8, wherein the side application surface has an indentation in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis.
 10. An applicator for applying cosmetic product by stamping on the skin, in particular for applying eyeliner to the eyelids, comprising: a handle extending along a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second opposite end; an application member according to claim 1, attached to the first end of the handle, said longitudinal axis of the handle coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the application member.
 11. The applicator according to claim 10, wherein the cross section of the handle in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis has a curved contour defining a concavity, said concavity having the same orientation as the concavity defined by the curved contour of the front application surface in the plane defined by the transverse axis and the antero-posterior axis.
 12. The applicator according to claim 10, wherein the second end of the handle is equipped with a secondary application member bearing a secondary application surface suitable for being loaded with cosmetic product by placing the secondary application surface in contact with the cosmetic product and for being placed in contact with the skin to deposit by stamping thereon a line of cosmetic product whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the secondary application surface, and wherein the secondary application surface extends in particular in a plane forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the handle and has a triangular or drop-shaped outer contour.
 13. The applicator according to claim 10, wherein the application member and/or the secondary application member is (are) attached to the first end and/or to the second end of the handle by overmoulding.
 14. The applicator according to claim 10, wherein the handle is made of relatively rigid plastic, especially of a thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene or polyamide and/or the application member and/or the secondary application member is (are) made of relatively flexible plastic, such as a silicone, a rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer.
 15. An assembly for packaging and stamping application of cosmetic product, in particular of eyeliner, comprising: a container containing the cosmetic product to be applied; an applicator according to claim
 10. 16. A process for applying cosmetic product to the skin, in particular for applying eyeliner to the eyelids, comprising the steps consisting in: providing an assembly for packaging and applying cosmetic product according to claim 15; loading at least a part of the front application surface with cosmetic product to be applied by placing said part of the front application surface in contact with the cosmetic product contained in the container; applying the cosmetic product loaded on the part of the front application surface onto the skin by placing in contact with the skin, the longitudinal axis of the application member being placed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the skin, and, where appropriate, the concavity of the front application surface being oriented in the direction of the eye, to deposit by stamping on the skin a line of cosmetic product whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the part of the front application surface placed in contact with the skin.
 17. The process according to claim 16, comprising a plurality of successive steps of applying the cosmetic product loaded on the front application surface onto the skin, and in which the lines of cosmetic product successively deposited on the skin are adjacent to each other and are partially superposed, so as to form together on the skin a continuous line, in particular a continuous curved line, of cosmetic product.
 18. The process according to claim 17, wherein two adjacent lines of cosmetic product deposited successively onto the skin are superposed over a length of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm.
 19. The process according to claim 16, using an applicator equipped with an application member which also has a side application surface adjacent to the front application surface and extending substantially perpendicular thereto, said side application surface being outwardly concave when the application member is observed in the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis, also comprising the following steps: loading the side application surface with cosmetic product to be applied by placing the front application surface in contact with the cosmetic product contained in the container; applying the cosmetic product loaded on the side application surface onto the skin, in particular at an inner corner of the eyelid, by placing in contact with the skin, the longitudinal axis of the application member being placed substantially parallel to the surface of the skin, to deposit by stamping thereon a line of cosmetic product whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the side application surface, in particular said line deposited by means of the side application surface being adjacent and being partially superposed with a line of cosmetic product deposited by means of the front application surface.
 20. The process according to claim 16, using an applicator wherein the second end of the handle is equipped with a secondary application member bearing a secondary application surface suitable for being loaded with cosmetic product by placing the secondary application surface in contact with the cosmetic product and for being placed in contact with the skin to deposit by stamping thereon a line of cosmetic product whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the secondary application surface, and the secondary application surface extends in particular in a plane forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the handle and has a triangular or drop-shaped outer contour, also comprising the following steps: loading the secondary application surface with cosmetic product to be applied by placing the secondary application surface in contact with the cosmetic product contained in the container; applying the cosmetic product loaded on the secondary application surface onto the skin, in particular at an outer corner of the eyelid, by placing in contact with the skin to deposit by stamping thereon a line of cosmetic product whose shape and contour correspond substantially to the shape and contour of the secondary application surface, said line deposited by means of the secondary application surface being connected to a line of cosmetic product deposited by means of the front application surface. 